EU mission praises INEC for engaging with stakeholders to sustain Nigeria’s democracy

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA — The European Union (EU) Election Observation Follow-up Mission has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for engaging with stakeholders to fortify Nigeria’s democracy.

Leader of the Mission, Barry Andrews, a Member of the European Parliament who headed the EU Mission to Nigeria’s 2023 wide election, gave the commendation connected Thursday during a gathering with the INEC enactment successful Abuja.

Andrews underscored the value of sustained reforms to consolidate antiauthoritarian governance successful Nigeria and commended INEC for its efforts astatine deepening electoral integrity done consultations with cardinal actors.

On his part, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, urged the National Assembly to expedite enactment connected the reappraisal and transition of electoral reforms, informing that delays could impact preparations for the 2027 wide election.

“An aboriginal transition of instrumentality is captious to our readying for the elections. Uncertainty implicit the ineligible model for the predetermination tin unsettle the enactment of the Commission arsenic the predetermination draws nearer,” Yakubu said.

He explained that of the 23 recommendations made by the EU Observation Mission successful 2023, lone 8 straight interest INEC, with 1 identified arsenic a priority. The remaining 15, including 5 precedence recommendations, autumn wrong the responsibilities of the executive, legislature, judiciary, governmental parties, civilian society, media, and nonrecreational bodies.

Yakubu disclosed that INEC has already taken administrative steps to instrumentality its stock of the recommendations portion moving with stakeholders connected broader reforms pending legislative action. He besides noted that INEC’s post-election reappraisal of the 2023 polls generated 142 recommendations, complementing those of planetary observers.

Reiterating Nigeria’s committedness to credible elections, the INEC brag announced that invitations volition soon beryllium extended to the EU, Commonwealth, African Union, and ECOWAS to observe the 2027 wide election.

Yakubu besides commended the EU Support to Democratic Governance successful Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme, pledging continued concern to consolidate electoral integrity.

“We judge that the recommendations arising from your reflection of our predetermination and electoral process assistance to amended the prime of our elections and electoral activities,” helium said.

The station EU ngo praises INEC for engaging with stakeholders to prolong Nigeria’s democracy appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.